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Hooded Plover
The Hooded Plover is a small, shorebird found on southern and eastern Australian coasts. It's recognized by its black "hood," white collar, and red bill. Their coastal beach habitat make them especially vulnerable to human disturbance.
Hooded Plover
Thinornis Rubricollis
Charadriidae
This plover has red eyes and a red beak, with a "hooded" black head that has given rise to its name.
19-23 cm
Their rather small size, black head and red beak.
The hooded plover doesn't migrate.
This bird can be found on the coastline and by lakes near the coast. Hooded plovers primarily inhabit sandy ocean beaches, but their habitat also includes coastal lakes and lagoons.
Hooded plovers are opportunistic feeders that eat a variety of invertebrates, such as crustaceans, molluscs, and insects, as well as plant material like seeds and turions.
They usually breed from August to February and lay 2-3 eggs per season. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 30 days and share the care of the chicks.
Around the lower parts of Australia, including Tasmania.
Vulnerable
Habitat loss and disturbance from human activities such as coastal development, recreation and predation by off-leash dogs. Their eggs are well camouflaged on the sand, making them very vulnerable to human activities on beaches.
Hodded Plover eggs in the sand. By Dr Eric Woehler
Quiet call and a very low pipe, pipe.
Around the beaches and lakes on the coast of Australia including Tasmania, though if you get lucky you can see them inland as well.
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